The Western Judicial Circuit, comprised of Clarke and Oconee counties, has a new Chief Circuit Judge: the title goes to Judge Patrick Haggard. Haggard was appointed to the Superior Court in 2011. The newest member of the local bench—Judge Eric Norris—has been appointed to head the Mental Health Court of Athens-Clarke County.
From the Athens-Clarke Co Government website…
Lawton E. Stephens, H. Patrick Haggard, and Eric W. Norris, Judges of the Western Judicial Circuit, announce that Judge H. Patrick Haggard has been selected as Chief Judge of the Western Circuit effective August 1, 2017. The Western Circuit is comprised of Athens-Clarke and Oconee County. Judge David Sweat will continue as a Senior Judge, serving the Superior Courts throughout Georgia, having retired as Chief Judge of the Western Circuit effective July 31, 2017.
Judge Sweat was elected to office in 2003, replacing retiring Judge Joseph Gaines. Judge Sweat, who served as Chief Judge from January 1, 2013 until July 31, 2017, presided over the Treatment and Accountability Court and worked to implement several of the Western Circuit's technology projects. He also served as chair of the Council of Superior Court Judges’ Uniform Rules Committee, which has responsibility for developing rules of practice for superior courts across the state.
Judge H. Patrick Haggard was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 2011 by Governor Nathan Deal to replace Judge Steve Jones, who was appointed as U.S. District Court Judge. Judge Haggard has been re-elected twice. An Athens native, he served for 28 years in private practice as a civil litigator and judge for several local courts, including Winterville Municipal Court, as well as Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court and Municipal Court.
Since his appointment to the Superior Court bench, Judge Haggard has been an instrumental member of the judiciary, presiding over numerous criminal and civil proceedings and trials. In 2013, he created the Veterans Court, over which he has presided in addition to his regular Superior Court case docket.
Veterans Court integrates alcohol/drug and/or mental health treatment specific to veterans with effective judicial case management. Using a multi-phase approach similar to the other accountability courts, eligible participants are promptly placed into the program and receive assistance accessing existing services for veterans, specialized treatment and rehabilitation services, and frequent alcohol and drug tests. Typically, veteran mentors assist with the programs. The court has provided enhanced probation supervision and treatment for many veterans and has received extensive support at the state level for expansion during fiscal year 2018.
Lawton E. Stephens, H. Patrick Haggard, and Eric W. Norris, Judges of the Western Judicial Circuit, announce that Judge Eric W. Norris has been selected to preside over the Mental Health Court of Athens-Clarke County, commonly referred to as Treatment and Accountability Court, effective August 1, 2017.
The Treatment and Accountability Court was created in 2008 to ensure that offenders with serious mental illness, often with co-occurring substance abuse disorders, be given the opportunity to take responsibility for their criminal conduct while receiving intensive treatment. Participants must comply with a comprehensive long-term plan of treatment while they work daily to maintain sobriety and to understand and improve their mental health. The close supervision of Treatment and Accountability Court has created opportunities for 275 individuals to break a routine of regular jail stays and use effective tools that promote stable and crime-free lives.
Accountability courts are designed to serve as an alternative to incarceration by providing a rigid and successful treatment program that maintains high levels of participant accountability. Participants in these programs, upon successful completion and graduation, typically receive reductions in their sentences, lower fines, and other incentives.
In addition to Treatment and Accountability Court, the Western Judicial Circuit has Felony Drug Court, directed by Judge Lawton E. Stephens; Veterans Court, directed by Judge H. Patrick Haggard; DUI/Drug Court, directed by Judge Charles E. Auslander; and Family Dependency Treatment Court, directed by Judge Robin Shearer.
Judge David R. Sweat, who served as Chief Judge from January 1, 2013 until July 31, 2017, was instrumental in the creation of the Treatment and Accountability Court and presided over it from 2008 until his retirement.
Judge Eric W. Norris commenced his position on the Superior Court bench in April 2016, having been appointed by Governor Nathan Deal pursuant to the passage of a bill passed in 2015 in the state legislature creating a fourth judgeship to help handle the caseload in the Western Judicial Circuit. Prior to becoming a Superior Court judge, he served as Oconee County Magistrate and had a private practice specializing in family law in Watkinsville.
Judge Norris holds a bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College & State University and a law degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and reside in Watkinsville.
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